Seminar on subtopic implementation plan was held on February 6 and 7, 2009 concerning the national water body pollution control and treatment special project “Technology of protecting Taihu Lake water quality and engineering demonstration and research on prevention and treatment of swamping of East Taihu Lake”. Some renowned experts in the field invited to the seminar to conduct a detailed discussion on the implementation plan for each subtopic gave pointed comments and suggestions as follows:

For the subtopic “Survey of ecological environment in the drinking water source protection area of Taihu Lake and analysis and safety evaluation on pollutant source”, the basic survey of Taihu Lake water source should be strengthened to make clear the number of regional water intakes and the quantity of fetched water. The collection and processing of historical information should be improved. Further work should be done to find out the time and space changes in the Taihu Lake water quality and the characteristics of spatial distribution of aquatic vegetation and to reveal the law of ecosystem degradation through integrated analysis so as to provide a reference for ecological restoration. Take the interaction and influence among the volume, sources, dynamics and other factors into full account in terms of the layout of the subtopic monitoring points. Make full use of the system integration information from the Taihu Lake Ecosystem Research Station and its contribution to the exploration of scientific problems.

As to the subtopic “Study on protection of East Taihu Lake Water Quality and Prevention of Swamping”, researchers should break through the previous study mode, discuss the ecological evolution law of East Taihu Lake from a higher and more innovative respect, further the studies on the process of swamping and its formation mechanism, especially grasping the characteristics of East and West Taihu Lake water exchange and emphasizing the impact of lake streams, waves and wind on swamping.

The two subtopics are directly related to the safety of drinking water source area and people’s health, respectively “Studies on the key technology of pollution control in land areas of Gonghu Lake water source protection area and engineering demonstration” and “Studies on the key technology of pollution control of water areas and water quality improvement as well as engineering demonstration”. Researchers should strengthen the analysis on the pollutant source in the water body of river network in demonstration zone, scientifically estimate the volume of pollutants from land protection area into water protection area and make land pollution control plans based on the relevant basic data such as the total volume of pollutants in the river course and the population and land utilization. The plans should not be implemented until being accepted by the local government.  As to the plan of “Studies on the key technology of pollution control of water areas and water quality improvement as well as engineering demonstration”, the expert team stressed that the careful calculation of engineering structure and dynamic parameters and the verification of physical model should be strengthened to improve the scientific nature and ensure the guaranteed rate to establish the protection system.

For the subtopic “Formulation of Pollution Emergency treatment plan on Taihu Lake water source protection area and management research and pollution control regulations”, the experts suggested to strengthen the research on the existing emergency technology and plans and to list the specific plans for the research including the level and extent to be achieved. Some consultancy experts related to environmental economy and environment laws should be recruited.  The technical route and implementation plans for the subtopics should be further elaborated.

Now, the members of each subtopic is making further revision and improvement as per the suggestions and comments made on the seminar to ensure the smooth implementation of the concerned project.